"So when do you have time then?"

Her tone was disappointed, which was to be expected. But Gou really couldn't help it in this case. At least that's what she kept telling herself over and over again as she tried to set a date to meet up with Chigusa. And she was only here for a week, so they barely did have any time to get together. Gou just had so much to do. She had her part-time job she had to go to, waiting tables at a local cafe. And of course she couldn't forget about her boyfriend, whom she saw every day, no exceptions, and he didn't like it when she rescheduled their dates, which were all planned already. So she had to find a moment where she could actually have some time for other things. Seeing her boyfriend just took up a lot of time, because she really wanted to see him and he her.

"I don't know," Gou breathed. With her planner spread out in front of her, her pen tapping away on the pages, she tried her best to find a spot for her best friend. "Maybe Thursday afternoon?" she suggested, hoping it would be fine. It needed to be fine.

It stayed silent for a second, Chigusa letting out a sigh in the end. "But like, you just want to meet up for the afternoon? Not the whole evening or something? I mean we haven't seen each other in so long. Shouldn't we get together at least a little longer?"

Gou bit her lip, knowing Chigusa was right. Of course she was right. Of course they should get together longer, but when? It wasn't like Chigusa had announced her arrival or anything. They had just run into each other and then had to figure out when they both had time. Chigusa had all the time in the world, scooting her parents around to make time for Gou. Gou was not as flexible as they were. She had a boyfriend here as well. They had to see each other, like you ought to in a relationship. "I, uh, I could stay for dinner, but would need to leave early to meet Kaito. He expects me at seven." And seven was far too early, eating before that normally not happening, but she couldn't do otherwise.

"So you suggest to see each other at four and then say goodbye at seven?" Chigusa replied, the bite in her voice very apparent.

Gou flinched, feeling slightly guilty over the whole ordeal. She did want to see her, but there was just no time. "Well... we'd need to say goodbye a bit earlier, since I need to be at Kaito's place at seven," she said honestly.

"Gou!"

"Okay, okay!" Pinching the bridge of her nose Gou tried to come up with a proper solution, something that would actually solve this thing. She softly cursed under her breath, knowing she had no other choice. It was time to text her boyfriend and tell him they needed to reschedule. Part of her didn't mind much, because she really wanted to see Chigusa and she knew those few hours wouldn't be enough. They had a lot to catch up on and... she had missed her know that she thought about it. She didn't have many friends left. Most of them had left for other cities and with dating Kaito, she just was unable to see them all. "Okay," she eventually said after she took a moment for herself. "I'll cancel Kaito, so that we have the rest of the evening, but you better make this worth it!" The last part was a joke, trying to make light of the conversation. It had gotten quite heavy and hearing Chigusa's frustration and disappointment over the phone wasn't making things better, at all.

"Oh, thank you, Gou-chan! I mean he will understand. We haven't seen each other in so long and I just want to see you. So you cancel Kaito and then I'll arrange the perfect evening, I promise! I'll make it worth it!" Gou wasn't so sure if Kaito was going to understand, but it was good to hear Chigusa was at least taking this seriously.

Biting her lip again Gou was already not looking forward to the next conversation she needed to have. "It's fine, Hana-chan. We'll see each other in a few days. I look forward to seeing you," she replied, her tone far too formal.

Chigusa of course noticed, but wouldn't comment at this point. Her tone said enough though, always enough. "Okay, then we'll talk soon. Bye Gou."

Not wanting to say anything else, Gou quickly disconnected the call, sighing as she held her phone in her hand. She was tired, very tired. The next call she needed to make as soon as possible. If she was going to wait till tonight, when they would see each other again, he would be angry at her for not saying anything sooner. At least now he would only be angry that she cancelled their plans. She could still offer to come to him after she finished her plans with Chigusa. He may be happier then. She could spend the night and make it even better. That would be a safe way to put things.

Feeling her phone buzz in her hand, she dreaded the fact that it could be Kaito. It may be him calling her, checking up on her, talking about their days before they'd meet later. He was quite considerate like that, and then she would drop the bad news. Fortunately it wasn't Kaito, but instead her brother. It was quite special for Rin to text her, so she knew it had to be about something important. Probably about him coming over next week and how she should make space for him in the house. Since he was bringing over all his lovers. It would be fun, but their house would never fit four grown men, ever. Especially not when two of them were practically giants. Sweet and soft giants, but still giants, with a slight clumsy tendency. It reminded her of large dogs who were unaware of how big they were and would throw everything off the table with their tails.

What should I get mom for her birthday?

Okay, it could also be something as simple as that. Didn't he have boyfriends for that to help him with? Her birthday had been a few weeks ago, and Rin couldn't make it, so he would make it up like this. Get her a new perfume or something. She texted back, slightly agitated, though that wasn't really her brother's fault.

I got her perfume last year. I can't buy her that again.

Well, that wasn't really her problem, was it? Sighing she put her head down on the table and collected herself, not wanting her reply to be to snippy. She could hear her mom rummaging in the kitchen, her other mom still at work. It was a peaceful life with the three of them living here, and at least her moms didn't say anything about her relationship with Kaito. They let her enjoy it, because they knew every relationship was special, like theirs had been together with her dad. And even when her dad passed, her moms had stayed together. Relationships weren't always easy, but they were worthwhile. I don't know, Rin. Just get her something you think she'll like. It's the gesture that counts anyway. She eventually answered, head still on the table as she pushed her phone out in front of her.

Fine fine. I'll get her something... Anyway, you don't have to sleep anywhere else. We'll be staying at Haru's old place. Apparently there is enough room there and then you won't be kicked out of your own room.

A bit surprised by that she lifted her head from the table and looked at her phone warily. Why would he suddenly offer that? He had been set on getting her out, since he didn't feel like traveling so much once he was there, and Haru's place wasn't right around the corner. It was convenient for her, but still. Okay, but I don't mind spending a few days at Kaito's. Don't feel forced to stay at Haru's. She was fishing. She wanted to know exactly why he had changed his mind. Rin was not one to change his mind so sudden, especially not when it was only in a few days.

No, it's fine. You don't have to stay with him. We'll stay at Haru's.

He had not explicitly said anything, but the word 'him' stood out for Gou. Rin may not even have meant it that way, but Gou understood it that way. Rin disliked Kaito, so much so that he refused to say her boyfriend's name. Like he hadn't done in the message. And this was his way of keeping her away from him. So that she would not be staying with him for a few days. Pretending to be the protective brother, but instead just meddling in. It annoyed her so much. I'll stay with him anyway, so it doesn't matter if you're staying home with our moms or at Haru's place.

No reply came after that, and that was exactly why Gou had said it. She probably wouldn't be staying with Kaito all four nights Rin and others were there, but still. It felt like a victory knowing why Rin had arranged it all, but it was a loss to know that Rin really didn't support her relationship. Part of her still hoped, hoped he would accept Kaito at some point, but chances seemed slim.

As the thought of her boyfriend crossed her mind again, her victory smile disappeared from her face. She still had another phone call to make and solve some other things. Arguing with her brother over who was staying where was better than this call. And maybe Kaito wouldn't reply as angrily as Gou expected him to do. She only thought he would, because she felt bad about doing it. She thought it wasn't right to cancel her plans with him after they had been set for weeks. So she was getting ahead of herself. Kaito was probably very understanding. Yes, he would be.

And yet here she was, hesitating. Her phone still posed in her hand and she gathered the courage to call. It buzzed again, making her jump slightly. Her brother had texted her back anyway, giving her another few minutes to delay the call. She heaved out a sigh. She denied it was one of relief.

Gou, Makoto feels bad for forcing you out of your house, so please just sleep at home. Otherwise he will complain to me and that I did it wrong. So stay home and force us to sleep in Haru's house.

Well, that was an odd turn of events, and very typical of Makoto. Of course Rin's boyfriends would make sure he wasn't as selfish about this. Haru wouldn't care much, but the other two… They were kind of Gou's big brothers as well, and would even protect her from her real big brother. And Rin did need to be shown some boundaries sometimes. Still something didn't sit well with Gou. Even if this all sounded very plausible, Gou couldn't help but think this was just an excuse. That it wasn't really Makoto's doing in some way. But maybe she was just seeing things. Ugh, everything was just too much today.

Instead of replying to Rin's text, Gou went to her phone memory and found Kaito's number, blinking as one of the last numbers called. She sucked in a deep breath, finding her heart beating fast as she pushed the call button. With her eyes closed she listened to the dial tone, waiting on her lover to pick up. It rang once, twice, and at the third he picked up.

"H-hey Kaito, I hope you're doing okay. I have something to discuss with you…"